Educational workshops, Farm-City awards and pop tabs will highlight the 2015 Alabama Farmers Federation’s Women’s Leadership Conference in Birmingham April 1-3. Hundreds of Federation members are expected to attend the three-day event at the Wynfrey Hotel.

“The Women’s Leadership Conference is a time to learn more together, recognize folks who work hard to spread the story of agriculture and enjoy being around other members,” Federation Women’s Leadership Division Director Kim Ramsey said. “This year, we’re excited to welcome Monsanto’s Farm Mom of the Year Heather Ann Dineen from Texas. I know attendees will relate to a lot of Heather’s stories.”

Dineen is a first-generation row crop and cattle farmer in Texas. Along with her work at the family’s 1,200-acre farm, Dineen recently designed the “Heart on My Sleeve” T-shirt line to promote agriculture. She also teaches farm safety and manages her local 4-H livestock club. 

Dineen will speak at the conference’s opening banquet Wednesday evening, along with Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

At the Thursday morning breakfast, attendees will receive a legislative update from Federation staff, followed by three workshops.

Ashley and Jamin Mills, who blog at TheHandmadeHome.net, will talk about making the most of decorating opportunities; Susan Guin, an instructor of community and rural medicine, will speak on the importance of heart health; and retired teacher Dewandee Neyman will lead the group in activities for the Ag in the Classroom program.

The conference will again host the Farm-City Awards Luncheon to recognize outstanding work by county Farm-City committees and announce winners in the poster, essay and multimedia contests. Presentation of the 2015 Farm of Distinction award will conclude the program.

A performance from The Kempters, a family gospel band from Slapout, will close out the conference at Thursday night’s banquet. 

Registration starts at 2:30 p.m. April 1 and closes at 4:30 with massage therapy sessions available during that time. Attendees may also drop off pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham during registration hours. Pounds collected will go toward the annual award for “Most Pop Tabs Collected,” presented at the Federation’s annual meeting in December.

For more information, contact Ramsey at (334) 612-5370. To Tweet about the conference, use #affWLC.